Sheet management system and control method to determine whether to set information to a sheet holding unit

ABSTRACT

A sheet management system, in which a print control apparatus and an image forming apparatus are configured to communicate with each other, includes a selection unit, an adjustment unit, a confirmation unit, and a setting unit. The selection unit selects a sheet feeding deck. The adjustment unit adjusts sheet information including setting values for performing print processing on a sheet to be used for printing. The confirmation unit confirms. In a case where there is not a match between selected sheet information set for the sheet feeding deck and the sheet information to be adjusted, the confirmation unit confirms whether the sheet information to be adjusted by the adjustment unit is to be set for the selected sheet feeding deck. The setting unit sets the sheet information adjusted by the adjustment unit for the image forming apparatus in accordance with a result of confirmation by the confirmation unit.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to a sheet management system and acontrol method.

Description of the Related Art

Before a digital multi-function peripheral, for example, is used, it isimportant to set the type and size of sheets placed in a sheet feedingdeck through an operating unit. Through the operating unit, informationon sheets actually placed in the sheet feeding deck is registered withsheet feeding deck information managed within an image forming apparatusso that a sheet can be conveyed properly to acquire a printed material.Therefore, every time the sheets placed in the sheet feeding deck arechanged, it is important for an operator who uses the image formingapparatus to perform the operations for defining settings for thechanged sheets. Also, before printing is executed, an adjustmentoperation is performed for satisfying desired print quality of theresult. It is important for an operator to change adjustment values fora transfer voltage and correction levels for printing on a desired sheetin accordance with the property of the sheet. The adjustment operationsfor a sheet are important for acquiring a printed material.

As an example for improved convenience of an operator performingadjustment operations, a confirmation printing unit is provided thatallows the operator to check whether adjustments have been performedproperly. A system has been known by which a sheet feeding deck to beused for the confirmation printing is automatically selected inaccordance with the performed adjustment works (see Japanese PatentLaid-Open No. 11-212424, for example).

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a sheet managementsystem in which a print control apparatus and an image forming apparatusare includes a selection unit configured to select a sheet feeding deck,an adjustment unit configured to adjust sheet information includingsetting values for performing print processing on a sheet to be used forprinting, a confirmation unit configured to confirm, wherein, in a casewhere there is not a match between sheet information set for the sheetfeeding deck selected by the selection unit and the sheet information tobe adjusted by the adjustment unit, the confirmation unit confirmswhether the sheet information to be adjusted by the adjustment unit isto be set for the selected sheet feeding deck, and a setting unitconfigured to set the sheet information adjusted by the adjustment unitfor the image forming apparatus in accordance with a result ofconfirmation by the confirmation unit.

Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of asheet management system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of animage forming apparatus.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are block diagrams illustrating hardware and softwareconfigurations of a print control apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart to beexecuted by a sheet management application.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart upon start ofan image forming apparatus.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating an example of a sequencerepresenting a processing example according to a first embodiment.

FIGS. 7A to 7C are diagrams illustrating an example of a windowtransition relating to the processing example according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates examples of setting value tables relating to theprocessing example according to the first embodiment.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating an example of a flowchartrepresenting the processing example according to the first embodiment.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a sequencerepresenting a processing example according to a second embodiment.

FIGS. 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating an example of a windowtransition relating to the processing example according to the secondembodiment.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams illustrating an example of a flowchartrepresenting a processing example according to the second embodiment.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of a sequenceillustrating the processing according to a third embodiment.

FIGS. 14A to 14D are diagrams illustrating an example of a windowtransition according to the third embodiment.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams illustrating an example of a flowchartrepresenting processing according to the third embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of asheet management system 100. The sheet management system 100 in FIG. 1includes an image forming apparatus 103 and a print control apparatus102. The sheet management system 100 is communicably connected with aclient computer 101. The client computer 101 and the print controlapparatus 102 are communicably connected over a local area network (LAN)110 by using an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 109 or acomparable computer networking technology. The print control apparatus102 and the image forming apparatus 103 are connected through a videocable 107 and a control cable 108. According to this embodiment, theimage forming apparatus 103 is not directly connected with LAN 110. Theimage forming apparatus 103 and the client computer 101 communicatethrough the print control apparatus 102. The image forming apparatus 103may be connected to the LAN 110. In other words, the image formingapparatus 103 may communicably and directly be connected with the clientcomputer 101. Examples of the image forming apparatus 103 include amulti-function peripheral having printing and facsimile functions and aprinter.

An application is activated in the client computer 101 to issue a printinstruction to the sheet management system 100. The print controlapparatus 102 performs image processing in cooperation with the imageforming apparatus 103. The image forming apparatus 103 is amulti-function peripheral having various functions and not only mayperform image processing instructed through the client computer 101 orthe print control apparatus 102 but also may copy and transmit, to ashared folder, data read by a scanner unit 104. In order to scan animage by using the scanner unit 104, an operating unit 105 receives thecorresponding instruction from a user through a key. The operating unit105 displays information such as a scan state on a display. A sheetdischarging unit 106 receives a sheet having an image thereon anddischarges the received sheet. The print control apparatus 102 has adisplay device 111 such as a liquid crystal monitor. The print controlapparatus 102 further has a keyboard 112 and a pointing device 113.

According to this embodiment, the sheet management system 100 will bedescribed as including the print control apparatus 102 and the imageforming apparatus 103 separately. However, functions of the printcontrol apparatus 102 may be internally provided in the image formingapparatus 103, and the print control apparatus 102 may not physically beprovided. The display device 111 may have a function as a position inputdevice such as a touch pad and may also function as the pointing device113.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of theimage forming apparatus 103. Referring to the block diagram illustratingthe image forming apparatus 103 in FIG. 2, a controller 200 controls theimage forming apparatus 103 and includes a CPU 201 to a read interface212. The CPU 201 generally controls accesses to and from devicesconnected to a system bus 204 based on control programs stored in a ROM203 or an external storage device 210. The CPU 201 further outputs animage signal as output information to a print unit (print engine) 213connected to the system bus 204 through a print interface 207 andcontrols an image signal input from the reading unit (scanner) 104connected to the system bus 204 through the read interface 212. The CPU201 can perform processing for communicating with the print controlapparatus 102 through a LAN controller 206. A RAM 202 mainly functionsas a main memory, a work area, and a video memory, for example, for theCPU 201. Accesses to the external storage device 210 such as a hard disk(HDD) or an IC card are controlled by a disk controller (DKC) 208. Theexternal storage device 210 stores an application program, font data andform data, for example, and is used as a job storage area in which aprint job is temporarily spooled and the spooled job is externallycontrolled. The external storage device 210 is further used as ahold-printing data storage area in which image data acquired by readingan image by the scanner 104 or image data of a print job are held ashold-printing data and which is referred over a network for printing.According to this embodiment, the external storage device 210 is an HDDand holds logs such as job logs and image logs. An operating unitinterface (I/F) 205 receives information input through the operatingunit 105 (such as a software key or a hardware key) by a user andtransmits a window display control signal. A nonvolatile memory 209stores setting information defined from a terminal through the operatingunit 105 or over a network. A video interface 211 receives image datafrom the print control apparatus 102.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of theprint control apparatus 102. Referring to the block diagram illustratingthe print control apparatus 102 in FIG. 3A, the controller 300 controlsthe print control apparatus 102 and includes a CPU 301 to a videointerface 310. The CPU 301 generally controls accesses to and fromdevices connected to a system bus 304 based on control programs storedin a ROM 303 or an external storage device 309. The CPU 301 can performprocessing for communicating with the image forming apparatus 103through a LAN controller 306. The CPU 301 can perform processing forcommunicating with the client computer 101 and the image formingapparatus 103 on the network through a LAN controller 307. A RAM 302mainly functions as a main memory, a work area, and a video memory, forexample, for the CPU 301. Accesses to the external storage device 309such as a hard disk (HDD) or an IC card are controlled by a diskcontroller (DKC) 308. The external storage device 309 stores anapplication program, font data, and form data, for example, andtemporarily spools a print job. The external storage device 309 is usedas a job storage area in which the spooled job undergoes raster imageprocessor (RIP) processing and the result is saved again. An operatingunit interface (I/F) 305 receives information input through an operatingunit (keyboard 112 or pointing device 113) by a user and transmits awindow display control signal for the display device 111. The videointerface 310 transmits image data as a result of the RIP processing tothe image forming apparatus 103.

FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of theprint control apparatus 102. Modules in FIG. 3B are stored in theexternal storage device 309 in FIG. 3A. The modules are decompressed inthe RAM 302 and are executed by the CPU 301. System software 351configured to control the print control apparatus 102 includes auser-interface (UI) control module 352, a sheet management module 353, asheet feeding deck management module 354, a network control module 355,a job management module 356, and a setting management module 357.

The UI control module 352 is a module that controls windows to bedisplayed by the sheet management system. The UI control module 352 cancontrol to change the words displayed on windows and the display unitsystem for a sheet size based on system settings.

The sheet management module 353 is a module configured to communicatewith the image forming apparatus 103 and manage sheet informationobtained through the communication in a sheet settings management table810 in FIG. 8. The sheet management module 353 can edit, add, delete,and search sheet information on the sheet settings management table 810.The sheet settings management table 810 is a management table formanaging sheet information for each sheet type ID and is managed in theexternal storage device 309 that is a nonvolatile area. Having describedthat the sheet settings management table 810 is managed in the externalstorage device 309, it may be managed in the external storage device 210in the image forming apparatus 103. In this case, the print controlapparatus 102 may obtain the sheet settings management table 810 fromthe image forming apparatus 103 and may store it in the RAM 302 duringexecution of a program.

The sheet feeding deck management module 354 is a module configured tocommunicate with the image forming apparatus 103 and manage sheetfeeding deck information obtained through the communication in a sheetfeeding deck setting management table 820 in FIG. 8. Although theinformation in FIG. 8 is also stored in the external apparatus 309, itis not illustrated in FIG. 3B. The sheet feeding deck management module354 can edit, add, delete, and search sheet feeding deck information onthe sheet feeding deck setting management table 820. The sheet feedingdeck setting management table 820 is a management table for managingsheet feeding deck information for each sheet feeding deck ID and ismanaged in the external storage device 309 that is a nonvolatile area.The sheet feeding deck setting management table 820 may be managed inthe external storage device 210 in the image forming apparatus 103, andthe print control apparatus 102 obtains the sheet feeding deck settingmanagement table 820 from the image forming apparatus 103 and may storeit in the RAM 302 during execution of a program.

The network control module 355 is a module that controls processing forcommunicating with the image forming apparatus 103 through the LANcontroller 306 and with the client computer 101 on the network throughthe LAN controller 307.

The job management module 356 is a module that manages a printprocessing sequence and order of jobs. The job management module 356manages a job received by the print control apparatus 102 and controlstransfer of data for printing the received job to the image formingapparatus 103 through the LAN controller 306 and the video interface310.

The setting management module 357 is a module that manages systemsettings relating to the sheet management system 100 and favoriteinformation. The setting management module 357 manages favoriteinformation in a favorite setting management table. The settingmanagement module 357 can edit, add, delete, and search favoriteinformation on the favorite setting management. The system settingsinclude a setting for a language of the words displayed on a window anda setting for a display unit system (such as millimeter or inch) for asheet size, for example, in the sheet management system 100. A settingmanagement table is provided as a management table for managing settinginformation for the sheet management system 100 and is managed in theexternal storage device 309 that is a nonvolatile area. Having describedthat the setting management table is managed in the external storagedevice 309, the setting management table may be managed in the externalstorage device 210 in the image forming apparatus 103, and the printcontrol apparatus 102 obtains the setting management table from theimage forming apparatus 103 and stores it in the RAM 302 duringexecution of a program.

FIGS. 7A to 7C illustrate a window transition example by the sheetmanagement system 100. The sheet management system 100 runs on the printcontrol apparatus 102. FIG. 7A illustrates a top window 700 displayinginformation regarding sheet feeding decks in the image forming apparatus103. The top window 700 is displayed in response to an activationinstruction from a user. Image data are rendered in the RAM 302 based onan instruction from the CPU 301 in response to the instruction input bya user by using a mouse or a touch panel. The image data rendered in theRAM 302 are output to the display device 111 as a video signal. As aresult, display processing of the image data is performed.

The top window 700 provided by the sheet management system 100 and candisplay sheet feeding deck information on the image forming apparatus103 (see the state of the window 700 in FIG. 7A). The top window 700displays connection states of hardware options of the image formingapparatus 103 that are connected to the print control apparatus 102. Thesheet management system 100 obtains the hardware option information onthe image forming apparatus 103 over the network, for example, inresponse to the activation instruction as described above and displays aproper image based on the option information. Referring to FIG. 7Aaccording to this embodiment, five sheet feeders (including one manualfeed tray) are connected to a discharging device. The window 700displays sheet feeding deck buttons 703 to 707. Based on the informationon the sheet feeding decks in the image forming apparatus 103, which isobtained upon activation of the sheet management system 100, the sheetfeeding deck buttons are generated and are arranged. Each of the sheetfeeding deck buttons has an area that displays information such as thename of the sheet type of sheets placed in the sheet feeding deck andthe remaining number of sheets, for example. When the controller 300receives a sheet feeding deck state change event from the image formingapparatus 103 upon occurrence of a state change of a sheet feeding deckin the image forming apparatus 103, the controller 300 obtains the sheetfeeding deck information again. The controller 300 renders again imagedata of the display area of the sheet feeding deck button again based onthe obtained sheet feeding deck information.

A sheet list button 701 is a button for issuing an instruction todisplay a sheet list window. According to this embodiment, when thebutton 701 is pressed, the controller 300 displays a sheet list window720 in FIG. 7A. In this case, the sheet list window 720 is displayed onthe top of the other windows.

A setting button 702 is a button for instructing to display a window forchanging system settings for the sheet management system 100. Thecontroller 300 displays the current system settings based on the systemsettings saved in the external storage device 309. FIG. 4 is a flowchartto be performed by the print control apparatus 102 for generating thetop window 700 upon activation of the sheet management system 100. FIG.5 is a flowchart for generating information to be synchronized with theprint control apparatus 102 through communication when the image formingapparatus 103 is activated.

A top window 1100 in FIG. 11A and a top window 1400 in FIG. 14A have thesame configuration as that of the top window 700. Therefore, anyrepetitive descriptions will be omitted.

A program of the print control apparatus 102 according to the flowchartin FIG. 4 is stored in the external storage device 309 in FIG. 3, isread out to the RAM 302, and is executed by the CPU 301. The imageforming apparatus 103 is activated based on the flowchart in FIG. 5(S501 to S504). After that, when the sheet management system 100 isactivated, the processing in FIG. 4 is executed. In S401, the controller300 identifies the model of the image forming apparatus 103 that is atarget of the sheet management. The controller 300 communicates with theimage forming apparatus 103. The image forming apparatus 103 responds toan inquiry for model information in S505.

The print control apparatus 102 obtains model information returned fromthe image forming apparatus 103 in S506. Based on the modelidentification information held by the sheet management system 100 inadvance, the print control apparatus 102 identifies the model of theimage forming apparatus 103 in S401. The processing then moves to S402.

In S402, the controller 300 identifies hardware options connected to theimage forming apparatus 103 and generates the top window 700. In thiscase, the model identification information is used in order to identifyinformation regarding sheet feeding decks returned from the imageforming apparatus 103 or to absorb differences between specifications ofmodels as a result (S508) of the inquiry from the print controlapparatus 102 to the image forming apparatus 103 in S507. The printcontrol apparatus 102 obtains the hardware option information bycommunicating with the image forming apparatus 103. The processing thenmoves to S403.

The processing in S402, S403, and S404 is performed based on informationreturned from the image forming apparatus 103 to the print controlapparatus 102 in S508, S510, and S512 in FIG. 5. First in S403, thecontroller 300 identifies sheet feeding decks connected to the imageforming apparatus 103 that is a target of the sheet management. Thecontroller 300 then identifies the number of the connected sheet feedingdecks and sheet feeding deck information. For example, the sheet feedingdeck information to be obtained here is a sheet feeding deck name, asheet feeding deck ID, and the remaining number of sheets in the sheetfeeding deck. Once the sheet feeding decks are identified in S403, thecontroller 300 executes the sheet feeding deck management module 354 towrite the obtained sheet feeding deck information to the sheet feedingdeck setting management table 820. The processing moves to S404.

In S404, the controller 300 obtains sheet information set for each ofthe sheet feeding decks by communicating with the image formingapparatus 103. After the sheet information (sheet type ID) of each ofthe sheet feeding decks is obtained in S404, the controller 300 executesthe sheet feeding deck management module 354 to write the obtained sheettype IDs to areas corresponding with the target sheet feeding deck IDsin the sheet feeding deck setting management table 820. The processingthen moves to S405.

In S405, the controller 300 generates information on the sheet feedingdeck buttons 703 to 707 to be displayed on the top window 700. After theinformation on the sheet feeding deck buttons are generated in S405, theprocessing moves to S406.

In S406, the controller 300 obtains sheet list information bycommunicating with the image forming apparatus 103. Sheet informationincludes, for example, a sheet name, parameters for printing (a sheetsize to be displayed in basic setting items 1131 in FIG. 11B and settingvalues for glossiness/black quality adjustment to be displayed in anadjustment item list 1132 in FIG. 11B), a favorite ID, a usage history,and a settable sheet feeding deck ID. After the sheet list informationis obtained in S406, the controller 300 executes the sheet managementmodule 353 to write the obtained sheet list information to the sheetsettings management table 810. The processing moves to S407. In S407,the controller 300 generates sheet list information to be displayed in asheet list display area 721 on the sheet list window 720. For thesettable sheet feeding deck IDs, the controller 300 in the print controlapparatus 102 may control the sheet management module 353 to determinewhether the obtained sheet information is settable for the sheet feedingdecks in accordance with the connected image forming apparatus.Alternatively, the controller 300 may control the sheet managementmodule 353 to transmit an inquiry about whether the obtained sheetinformation is settable for the sheet feeding decks to the image formingapparatus 103 and sets the settable sheet feeding deck IDs returned fromthe image forming apparatus 103. A usage history that is informationregarding the number of times that sheet information is allocated to asheet feeding deck. When sheet information is generated, the usagehistory is set to zero. The usage history increments each time the sheetinformation is allocated to a sheet feeding deck.

After the controller 300 generates the sheet list information in S407,the processing moves to S408.

In S408, the controller 300 generates the top window 700 by using themodel hardware option information on the image forming apparatus 103,which is obtained in S401 and S402, and the sheet feeding deckinformation generated in S405. The controller 300 generates the sheetlist window 720 by using the sheet list information generated in S407.In a case where the display device 111 has a low resolution, it meansthe window display area is narrow. Therefore, the sheet list window 720may be displayed over the top window 700. In a case where the sheetmanagement system 100 is rebooted after closing the sheet list window720, the top window 700 may be displayed upon next activation of thesheet management system 100. In this case, after the activation, anoperator presses the sheet list button 701 on the top window to displaythe sheet list window 720 based on the information obtained in step S405and S407.

The sheet list window 720 in FIG. 7A will be described. Image data ofthe sheet list window 720 are rendered in the RAM 302 in accordance witha corresponding instruction from the CPU 301, and the image datarendered in the RAM 302 are output to the display device 111 as a videosignal so that the sheet list window 720 is displayed. The sheet listwindow 720 displays the sheet list display area 721, a pull-down menu722 by which a method for displaying a sheet list is selected, a searchinput area 723 for sheet information, and buttons for adding sheetinformation to the sheet list (hereinafter, called sheet additionbuttons). As the sheet addition buttons, a new registration button 724for registering new sheet information with the sheet list, a copy button725 for copying existing sheet information in the sheet list, and aregister from database button 726 for generating sheet information froma sheet database are displayed.

The sheet list display area 721 will be described. The sheet listdisplay area 721 corresponds to a table displaying a sheet list. Thesheet list display area 721 has sheet information (such as name, basisweight, and size) at its column and sheet types at its row. In order todisplay information other than attribute information of displayedsheets, a slider bar may be operated. In order to display a sheet typeother than the displayed sheet types, a slider bar may be operated. Asheet type in selection is highlighted so that a user can recognize thatit is currently selected. When a sheet type corresponding to one of therows is selected from the sheet list in the sheet list display area 721in accordance with a user instruction, sheet information (7000) inselection is identifiably displayed in the sheet list display area 721.

The pull-down menu 722 for selecting a method for displaying the sheetlist will be described. The pull-down menu 722 displays ways fordisplaying the sheet list display area 721. According to thisembodiment, as an example, the display ways “DISPLAY ALL”, “CLIENT A”,“CLIENT B”, “CLIENT C” and “HISTORY” are provided. When the window isdisplayed, “DISPLAY ALL” is selected.

“CLIENT A”. “CLIENT B”. “CLIENT C” are options for filtering a displaycontent in the sheet list display area 721 for each favorite ID of sheetinformation. In other words, a client attribute may be given to sheetinformation, and sheet information of a designated client may befiltered based on the attribute for display.

The search input area 723 will be described. The search input area 723is an area usable by an operator for inputting a key word for retrievinga desired or predetermined sheet type from the sheet types in the sheetlist display area 721.

Because a sheet list window 1120 in FIG. 11A and a sheet list window1420 in FIG. 14A include the same components as those of the sheet listwindow 720, any repetitive descriptions will be omitted.

The program in the image forming apparatus 103 according to theflowchart in FIG. 5 is stored in the external storage device 210 in FIG.2, is read out to the RAM 202, and is executed by the CPU 201. After theimage forming apparatus 103 is activated, the processing moves to S501.In S501, the controller 200 obtains model information of the imageforming apparatus 103 from the external storage device 210 and generatesreturnable data of the model information.

After the data of the model information is generated in S501, theprocessing moves to S502.

In S502, the controller 200 obtains information on hardware optionsconnected to the image forming apparatus 103 from the print engine 213through the print interface 207 and generates returnable data from theinformation to the RAM 202. After the data of the hardware optioninformation is generated in S502, the processing moves to S503.

In S503, the controller 200 obtains sheet feeding deck information ofthe image forming apparatus 103 from the hardware option information inthe RAM 202 and generates returnable data thereof. After the data of thesheet feeding deck information is generated in S503, the processingmoves to S504.

In S504, the controller 200 obtains sheet list information on the imageforming apparatus 103 from the external storage device 210 and generatesreturnable data thereof. After the data of the sheet list information isgenerated in S504, the processing moves to S505.

In S505, the controller 200 determines whether an inquiry about themodel information has been received from the print control apparatus102. If the inquiry about the model information has been received, theprocessing moves to S506 where the model information generated in S501is returned. Then, the processing moves to S507. If no inquiry about themodel information has been received in S505, the processing also movesto S507.

In S507, the controller 200 determines whether an inquiry about thehardware option information has been received from the print controlapparatus 102. If the inquiry about the hardware option information hasbeen received, the processing moves to S508 where the hardware optioninformation generated in S502 is returned. The processing then moves toS509. If no inquiry about the hardware option information has beenreceived in S507, the processing also moves to S509.

In S509, the controller 200 determines whether an inquiry about thesheet feeding deck information has been received from the print controlapparatus 102. If the inquiry about the sheet feeding deck informationhas been received, the processing moves to S510 where the sheet feedingdeck information generated in S503 is returned. The processing thenmoves to S511. If no inquiry about the sheet feeding deck informationhas been received in S509, the processing also moves to S511.

In S511, the controller 200 determines whether an inquiry about thesheet list information has been received from the print controlapparatus 102. If the inquiry about the sheet list information has beenreceived, the processing moves to S512 where the sheet list informationgenerated in S504 is returned. The processing then moves to S505. If noinquiry about the sheet list information has been received in S511, theprocessing also moves to S505.

Referring back to FIG. 7A to 7C, when the button 703 for a sheetcassette 1 is pressed by using the pointing device 113, for example, asheet setting window 730 for the sheet cassette 1 in FIG. 7B isdisplayed. Because the buttons 704 to 707 are configured in the samemanner as the button 703, any repetitive descriptions will be omitted.The sheet feeding decks include all of sheet feeders such as an inserterand a manual feed tray although they are not described in detail inembodiments. The use of the pointing device 113, for example, is notdescribed in descriptions of operations performed on an application suchas pressing a button, but such an input device is used for theoperations.

The sheet setting window 730 for the sheet cassette 1 in FIG. 7B will bedescribed. Image data of the sheet setting window 730 are rendered inthe RAM 302 in accordance with a corresponding instruction from the CPU301, and the image data rendered in the RAM 302 are output to thedisplay device 111 as a video signal so that the sheet setting window730 is displayed. The sheet setting window 730 displays a sheet listdisplay area 731, a sheet information display area 732, a button 733 fordisplaying an adjustment window for an adjustment item, a button 734 fordisplaying a setting window for sheet information other than thosedisplayed in the current sheet setting window 730, an OK button 735, anda cancel button 736. The sheet setting window 730 further displays apull-down menu 737 by which a method for displaying a sheet list isselected and a search input area 738 for sheet information.

For example, when the sheet feeding deck button 703 on the top window700 in FIG. 7A is pressed to open the window 730, the information on thesheet type currently allocated to the sheet cassette 1 has a selectedstate 7001 and is displayed in the sheet information display area 732.In other words, when the sheet setting window 730 is displayed, thesheet type set in the sheet feeding deck selected in the top window 700has a selected state in the sheet list display area 731. If anothersheet type is selected from the sheet list in the sheet list displayarea 731 here, the information on the selected sheet is displayed in thesheet information display area 732. When another sheet type is selectedin the sheet list display area 731, the sheet type is highlighted. Afteranother sheet type is selected in the sheet list display area 731, theOK button 735 is pressed. Then, the controller 300 transmits settingsfor the other selected sheet type to the image forming apparatus 103 fordefining the settings. When another sheet is selected in the sheet listdisplay area 731 and the cancel button 736 is pressed, the controller300 closes the sheet setting window 730 without performing the sheetsetting operation on the image forming apparatus 103.

The sheet information display area 732 displays setting informationregarding the currently selected sheet type. Items displayed in thesheet information display area 732 will be described. For improvement orrefinement of convenience of an operator, sheet information that isfrequently used by the operator is displayed as examples according tothis embodiment. More specifically, the sheet information display area732 displays the name of the selected sheet type and adjustment items(image position adjustment, secondary transfer voltage adjustment, curlcorrection amount, glossiness/black quality adjustment, back end whitevoid correction, saddle stitching setting, adjustment of air flow ofsheet separating fan). The items will be described in the description ofa sheet setting window 1130 in FIG. 11B. The sheet information displayarea 732 displays the name of the currently selected sheet type andwhether the adjustment values are changed from the initial values in theimage forming apparatus 103. If an adjustment value is not changed, “NOADJUSTMENT” is displayed. If an adjustment value is changed, “ADJUSTED”is displayed. A button 733 is displayed for an item adjustable from theprint control apparatus 102 so that a corresponding adjustment windowcan be displayed.

The button 734 is a button to be pressed for checking and changingsettings in information that is not displayed in the sheet informationdisplay area 732. For example, the sheet setting window 1130 in FIG. 11Bmay be displayed.

Because the pull-down menu 737 for selecting a method for displaying asheet list is configured in the same manner as that of the pull-downmenu 722, any repetitive description will be omitted.

Because the search input area 738 is configured as that of the searchinput area 723, any repetitive description will be omitted.

Because a sheet setting window 1430 in FIG. 14B is configured in thesame manner as that of the sheet setting window 730, any repetitivedescription will be omitted.

A glossiness/black quality adjustment window 750 in FIG. 7C will bedescribed. Image data of the adjustment window 750 are rendered in theRAM 302 in accordance with a corresponding instruction from the CPU 301,and the image data rendered in the RAM 302 are output to the displaydevice 111 as a video signal so that the adjustment window 750 can bedisplayed. The adjustment window 750 displays a glossiness level 751that affects glossiness and a black quality level 752 that affects blackquality, and a sheet feeder 753 indicating a sheet feeder that feeds asheet for execution of confirmation printing. Furthermore, a button 754for executing confirmation printing, an OK button 755, a cancel button756, and a button 757 for applying an adjustment result are displayed.The glossiness/black quality adjustment is an item for adjustingglossiness of an output image by adjusting the temperature of a fixingunit when plain paper or coated paper is used, for example. Theglossiness level 751 and the black quality level 752 are adjusted byusing corresponding slider bars here. However, the adjustments may beimplemented by a text box for entering a numerical value and count-upand -down buttons. The apply button 757 may be gray-out so that itcannot be clicked until the glossiness level 751 or the black qualitylevel 752 is changed.

When the button 754 is clicked, the controller 300 writes information onthe current sheet type to the sheet settings management table 810. Thecontroller 300 then transmits to the image forming apparatus 103 a sheetsetting instruction to register the information in the sheet settingsmanagement table 810 corresponding to the currently selected sheet typewith a sheet feeding deck. The controller 300 transmits an executioninstruction to execute confirmation printing to the image formingapparatus 103.

When the OK button 755 is clicked, the controller 300 writes informationon the current sheet type to the sheet settings management table 810.The controller 300 transmits to the image forming apparatus 103 a sheetsetting instruction to register the information in the sheet settingsmanagement table 810 corresponding to the currently selected sheet typewith the sheet feeding deck.

When the cancel button 756 is clicked, the controller 300 writes thesheet information set when the adjustment window 750 is started todisplay to the sheet settings management table 810. The controller 300transmits to the image forming apparatus 103 a sheet setting instructionto register the information in the sheet settings management table 810corresponding to the currently selected sheet type with the sheetfeeding deck.

Because an adjustment window 1160 in FIG. 11C and an adjustment window1450 in FIG. 14C are configured in the same manner as that of theadjustment window 750, any repetitive descriptions will be omitted.

The sheet setting window 1130 in FIG. 11B will be described. The sheetsetting window 1130 is a window for newly registering sheet informationand for editing registered sheet information. The sheet setting window1130 includes a sheet information input area 1131, a sheet informationadjustment item list 1132, a pull-down menu 1133 for changing anadjustment item list display group, an OK button 1134, and a cancelbutton 1135. The sheet information input area 1131 displays minimumsetting items for handling a sheet in sheet information. According tothis embodiment, the displayed setting items include a name, a basisweight, a color, a surface property, a size, a feature, adouble-sided/second side, favorites, for example. In a text area 1136, aname of a sheet type can be input. In order to change the name of asheet type, text can be input in the text area 1136 by using thekeyboard 112, for example. For example, the text area 1136 may be blankfor new registration and a name of the currently selected sheet type maybe displayed for editing. In order to reflect the changed information tothe sheet information, the OK button 1134 in the sheet setting window1130 is pressed. When the OK button 1134 is pressed, the sheetinformation in the print control apparatus 102 and the image formingapparatus 103 can be changed. When the cancel button 1135 is pressed,the sheet settings can be cancelled. In a text area 1137, a basis weightcan be input. Because the operations to be performed on the text area1137 are the same as the name text area 1136, any repetitivedescriptions hereinafter will be omitted. A pull-down menu 1138 displayscolor information of the sheet type, which is selectable from a list. Apull-down menu 1139 displays surface property information, which isselectable from a list. A pull-down menu 1140 displays size informationof a sheet, which is selectable from a list. In a text area 1141,lengths in the main scanning and sub scanning directions of a sheet sizecan be input. The lengths can be input when a user defined size isselected in the pull-down menu 1140. Because A4 is set as the sheet sizein the sheet setting window 1130, the text area 1141 is gray-out fordisabling inputting. In this case, buttons for selecting millimeter andinch may be provided for changing the input unit between millimeter andinch. A pull-down menu 1142 displays feature information, which isselected from a list. A pull-down menu 1143 displays a position of aflap of an envelope, which is selected from a list. When “envelope” isselected in the pull-down menu 1142, the pull-down menu 1143 is allowed.A radio button 1144 displays double-sided/second side information and isused for changing between “not set” and “set”. The double-sided/secondside information is a setting for changing the voltage of transfer forfixing on a back side of a sheet having undergone fixing on its frontside, which is inserted to the sheet feeding deck.

A favorite setting 1145 is a menu displaying a favorite list saved inthe external storage device 309. In the favorite setting 1145, which ofthe listed favorites the selected sheet type belongs to can be set.Here, the favorite setting 1145 with check boxes is displayed. When oneof the check boxes is checked, the selected sheet type belongs to thechecked target favorite. For example, because three favorites (client A,client B and client C) in the favorite setting 1145 are not checked, thesheet type does not belong to any of them. In order to reflect thechanged information to the sheet information, the OK button 1134 in thesheet setting window 1130 is pressed. When the OK button 1134 ispressed, the sheet information in the print control apparatus 102 andthe image forming apparatus 103 can be changed. When receiving aninstruction to generate the sheet setting window 1130, the controller300 controls the setting management module 357 to obtain a favoritesetting table. The controller 300 controls the UI control module 352 todisplay the sheet setting window 1130 based on the obtained favoriteinformation.

A favorite register/edit button 1146 is a button for displaying afavorite management window. In the favorite management window, addition,editing, and deletion of a favorite can be performed.

The adjustment item list 1132 displays a list of a name, adjustment/noadjustment and a display group for each of items adjustable by changingthe corresponding setting value in the sheet information. For adjustmentof an adjustment item, an adjustment item is selected in the adjustmentitem list 1132. Then, the sheet setting window 1130 may display a detailvalue of the adjustment value and an adjustment button. In this case,when the adjustment button is pressed, a target adjustment window may bedisplayed. Outlines of adjustment items displayed in the adjustment itemlist 1132 will be described. The glossiness/black quality adjustment isan item for adjusting the glossiness of an output image by adjusting thetemperature of the fixing unit in a case where plain paper or a coatedpaper is used, for example. It is defined as a display group “imagequality”. The secondary transfer voltage adjustment is an adjustmentitem for changing voltage for transferring a toner image to a sheet. Itis defined as a display group “image quality”. The back end white voidcorrection is an adjustment item for changing transfer voltage in a casewhere white void of toner occurs or where color gets light at a back endof a sheet in a conveying direction. It is defined as a display group“image quality”. The adjustment of secondary transfer discharging biasis an adjustment item for change voltage value (discharging bias) forremoving static electricity remaining in an intermediate transfer belt.It is defined as a display group “image quality”. The ITB image removaladjustment is an adjustment item for changing the degree of imageremoval on the intermediate transfer belt. It is defined as a displaygroup “image quality”. The toner amount adjustment mode is an adjustmentitem for changing the total amount of toner. It is defined as a displaygroup “image quality”. The primary transfer voltage adjustment is anadjustment item for changing voltage for transferring a toner image fromthe intermediate transfer belt to a sheet. It is defined as a displaygroup “image quality”. The registration loop amount adjustment is anadjustment item for changing the amount of bending of a sheet formedwhen an image position is adjusted. It is defined as a display group“image quality”. The registration speed adjustment is an adjustment itemfor changing the speed for adjusting an image position. It is defined asa display group “image quality”. The adjustment for the image rubbingcorrection is an adjustment item for changing the transfer speed when afuzzy image or uneven density occurs because a sheet is transformed dueto an uneven water content and a sheet conveying defect is caused. It isdefined as a display group “image quality”. The fixing pressureadjustment is an adjustment item for changing the fixing pressure. It isdefined as a display group “image quality”. The fixing speed adjustmentis an adjustment item for changing the fixing speed. It is defined as adisplay group “image quality”.

The image position adjustment is an adjustment item for changing aprinting position on front side and back side sheets. It is defined as adisplay group “image position”. The leading edge/back end marginadjustment is an adjustment item for changing lengths of margins on theleading edge side and the back end side in the conveying direction forprinting. It is defined as a display group “image position”. Theautomatic adjustment of horizontal registration is an adjustment itemfor preventing an image from being misaligned vertically (horizontally)in the conveying direction. It is defined as a display group “imageposition”. The adjustment of air flow of sheet separating fan is anadjustment item for changing the airflow of a fan for separating sheets.It is defined as a display group “sheet conveyance”. The adjustment ofair flow of pre-fixing conveying fan is an adjustment item for changingthe air flow of a pre-fixing conveying fan. It is defined as a displaygroup “sheet conveyance”.

A pull-down menu 1133 is a pull-down menu for selecting a filter fordisplaying the adjustment items in the adjustment item list 1132 foreach group. For example, when “image quality” is selected in thepull-down menu 1133, the controller 300 controls the UI control module352 to display adjustment items having “image quality” as their displaygroups in the adjustment item list 1132.

Embodiments will be described as a sheet management application runningon the print control apparatus 102. However, embodiments are not limitedto the sheet management application. The same mechanism may beimplemented in the client computer 101 or the image forming apparatus103.

Embodiment 1

Processing to be performed by the print control apparatus 102 and theimage forming apparatus 103 according to Embodiment 1 will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B. A program, which will be describedbelow, in the print control apparatus 102 is stored in the externalstorage device 309 in FIG. 3A, is read to the RAM 302, and is executedby the CPU 301.

According to this embodiment, an example in which an operator selects asheet type (sheet type B) that is not set for a sheet feeding deck(sheet cassette 1), and operations from a sheet setting operation toconfirmation printing after adjustments are performed will be describedwith reference to the flowcharts in FIGS. 6A and 6B and FIGS. 9A and 9B.

In step S601, an operator presses a sheet feeding deck button 703 (sheetcassette 1) on the top window 700 provided by the sheet managementsystem 100. The controller 300 detects the press.

In step S602, the controller 300 in the print control apparatus 102controls the UI control module 352 to obtain the sheet feeding decksetting management table 820 from the sheet feeding deck managementmodule 354. The controller 300 controls the UI control module 352 togenerate the sheet setting window 730 corresponding to the sheetcassette 1 based on the obtained sheet feeding deck list. Here, a sheettype ID 1 or sheet type A is designated for the sheet cassette 1. Thus,the sheet type A is in a selected state on the sheet setting window 730.The sheet information display area 732 displays information on the sheettype A based on the sheet settings management table 810.

In step S603, the controller 300 controls the UI control module 352 todisplay the sheet setting window 730 on the display device 111.

In step S604, an operator clicks and selects a sheet type B in the sheetlist display area 731. The controller 300 detects the selection.

In step S605, when the controller 300 detects the change of theselection target in the sheet list display area 731, the controller 300controls the UI control module 352 to obtain information on the selectedsheet type from sheet information in the sheet settings management table810 and update the information in the sheet information display area732. For example, when the sheet type B is selected in the sheet listdisplay area 731, the controller 300 refers to the sheet type ID in thesheet information in the sheet settings management table 810 anddetermines whether the sheet type B (sheet type ID=2) is included in thesheet information or not. The controller 300 controls the UI controlmodule 352 to display information on the matching sheet in the sheetinformation display area 732.

In step S606, the controller 300 controls the UI control module 352 todisplay the sheet setting window 730 for the sheet cassette 1 whichdisplays the information on the sheet type B in step S605.

In step S607, the operator clicks an adjustment button 733 for adjustingglossiness and black quality adjustment items. The controller 300detects the click.

In step S608, the controller 300 determines whether there is a matchbetween the sheet type of sheets set for the sheet feeding deck (sheetcassette 1) and the sheet type selected in step S604. For example, thecontroller 300 refers to the sheet type (sheet type ID=1) of sheets inthe sheet cassette 1 in the sheet feeding deck setting management table820 and compares it with the selected sheet type B (sheet type ID=2).Because there is not a match between the sheet type IDs, a mismatch isdetected. The processing moves to step S609.

In step S609, the controller 300 controls the UI control module 352 togenerate a confirmation window 740 in FIG. 7C for the display device111.

Next, the confirmation window 740 in FIG. 7C will be described. Theconfirmation window 740 is a window for prompting confirmation onwhether the sheet type selected in step S604 may be set for the sheetfeeding deck if the selected sheet type is not set for the sheet feedingdeck. Image data of the confirmation window 740 are rendered in the RAM302 in accordance with a corresponding instruction from the CPU 301, andthe image data rendered in the RAM 302 are output to and displayed onthe display device 111 as a video signal. The confirmation window 740displays a message display area 741, a “yes” button 742, and “no” button743.

This embodiment is described by assuming that the confirmation window740 is to be displayed, but the confirmation window 740 may have acheckbox to set prevention of the opening of the confirmation windowfrom the next time.

Also, the display area 741 may display text such that the sheet type setfor the sheet feeding deck and the sheet type to be adjusted from now oncan be easily recognized. For example, text “The sheet type A isregistered with the sheet feeder. The selected sheet type (sheet type B)will be registered for the sheet feeder, and adjustment is performedthereon. Is it OK? (If yes, place the corresponding sheets in the sheetfeeder, and press [yes].” may be displayed in the display area 741.

In step S610, the controller 300 controls the UI control module 352 todisplay the confirmation window 740 in FIG. 7C on the display device111.

In step S611, the operator opens the sheet cassette 1 in the imageforming apparatus 103 and places a sheet bundle of the sheet type B. Theoperator closes the sheet cassette 1.

In step S612, the operator clicks the “yes” button 742 to set thecurrently selected sheet type for the sheet cassette 1 and continueadjustment operations.

In step S613, the controller 300 controls the sheet management module353 to generate a sheet setting instruction to register the informationon the sheet settings management table 810 regarding the currentlyselected sheet type B with the sheet feeding deck (sheet cassette 1).The controller 300 controls the network control module 355 to transmitthe sheet setting instruction to the image forming apparatus 103 via thecontrol cable 108 by controlling the LAN controller 306.

In step S614, if the controller 200 in the image forming apparatus 103receives the sheet setting instruction by using the LAN controller 206,the received sheet information on the sheet type B is set for thedesignated sheet feeding deck (sheet cassette 1 here). The controller300 increments a counter for the usage history of the set sheet type andcontrols the sheet management module 353 to write the usage historycount in the usage history on the sheet settings management table 810corresponding to the target sheet type ID.

In step S615, the controller 300 controls the UI control module 352 togenerate the adjustment window 750 for glossiness/black quality in FIG.7C for the display device 111.

The flow of the processing from step S601 to S615 will be described withreference to a flowchart in FIG. 9A.

In step S901, the controller 300 detects that the sheet feeding deckbutton 703 has been clicked on the top window 700. The controller 300controls the UI control module 352 to display the sheet setting window730 for the sheet cassette 1 that displays information on the sheet typeB.

In step S902, the controller 300 determines whether the adjustmentbutton 733 for glossiness/black quality has been clicked. If theadjustment button 733 has been clicked, the controller 300 moves theprocessing to step S903. Until the adjustment button 733 is clicked, thecontroller 300 controls to keep displaying the sheet setting window 730for waiting for an operation on the window. On the sheet setting window730, another sheet type may be selected again.

In step S903, the controller 300 displays the confirmation window andperforms processing by a confirmation unit configured to control whetherthe currently selected sheet type is to be set for the sheet feedingdeck or not.

The confirmation unit in step S903 will be described in detail withreference to FIG. 9B.

In step S911, the controller 300 determines whether there is a matchbetween the sheet type set for the sheet feeding deck (sheet cassette 1)and the sheet type selected in step S604 in FIG. 6A. If there is not amatch between the set sheet type and the selected sheet type, thecontroller 300 moves the processing to the step S912. If there is amatch between the set sheet type and the selected sheet type, thecontroller 300 ends the processing of the confirmation unit. Forexample, the controller 300 refers to the sheet type (sheet type ID=1)for the sheet cassette 1 on the sheet feeding deck setting managementtable 820 and compares it with the currently selected sheet type B(sheet type ID=2). Because there is not a match between the sheet typeIDs, a mismatch is detected. The processing then moves to step S912.

In step S912, the controller 300 controls the UI control module 352 todisplay the confirmation window 740 in FIG. 7C on the display device111.

In step S913, the controller 300 determines whether the “yes” button 742or the “no” button 743 has been clicked. If the “yes” button 742 hasbeen clicked, the controller 300 moves the processing to step S914. Ifthe “no” button 743 has been clicked, the controller 300 ends theprocessing of the confirmation unit. Until the “yes” button 742 or the“no” button 743 is clicked, the controller 300 keeps displaying theconfirmation window 740 and controls to wait for an operation on thewindow. The example in which the message display area 741 displays amessage prompting to change sheets is described, and the “yes” button742 may be gray-out until the sheet change is performed. For example,the “yes” button 742 may be gray-out until an open and close eventassociated with the sheet cassette 1 is received from the image formingapparatus 103.

In step S914, the controller 300 controls the sheet management module353 to generate a sheet setting instruction to register the informationon the sheet settings management table 810 for the currently selectedsheet type B with the sheet feeding deck (sheet cassette 1). Thecontroller 300 controls the network control module 355 to transmit thesheet setting instruction to the image forming apparatus 103 via thecontrol cable 108 by controlling the LAN controller 306. For example,the controller 300 writes the sheet type ID=2 corresponding to the sheettype B to the sheet type ID area corresponding to the sheet cassette 1(sheet feeding deck ID=1) on the sheet feeding deck setting managementtable 820.

Up to this point, the confirmation unit in step S903 has been describedwith reference to FIG. 9B. Referring back to FIG. 9A, the subsequentprocessing will further be described.

In step S904, the controller 300 controls the UI control module 352 togenerate the glossiness/black quality adjustment window 750 in FIG. 7Cto be displayed on the display device 111.

Up to this point, the flow of the processing from step S601 to S615 hasbeen described above.

In step S616, the controller 300 controls the UI control module 352 todisplay the glossiness/black quality adjustment window 750 in FIG. 7C onthe display device 111.

In step S617, the operator changes the adjustment value of theglossiness level 751 or the black quality level 752.

In step S618, the controller 300 controls the UI control module 352 tostore the changed adjustment value in the RAM 302.

In step S619, the operator clicks the button 754 to execute confirmationprinting to check the adjustment result.

In step S620, the controller 300 transmits the sheet setting instructionto the image forming apparatus 103, like step S613.

In step S621, the controller 200 in the image forming apparatus 103 setsthe received sheet information on the sheet type B, like step S614.

In step S622, the controller 300 transmits a print instruction for theconfirmation printing to the image forming apparatus 103. The printinstruction includes the sheet type and sheet feeding deck to be usedfor the printing that are designated by the controller 300 upontransmission of the print instruction. According to this embodiment, theimage forming apparatus 103 internally contains data for theconfirmation printing. However, page description language (PDL) data maybe transmitted to the print control apparatus 102 as an instruction toexecute the print processing. Alternatively, data with a job ticket in ajob definition format (JDF), for example, may be transmitted to theimage forming apparatus 103.

In step S623, the controller 200 in the image forming apparatus 103controls to feed a sheet from the designated sheet feeding deck or thesheet feeding deck with which the designated sheet type is registered inaccordance with the received print instruction. Here, because the sheetcassette 1 is designated as the sheet feeding deck in the print data,the sheet cassette 1 is used.

In step S624, the controller 200 in the image forming apparatus 103controls to output and print an image signal as the output informationto the print unit (print engine) 213 connected to the controller 200through the print interface 207.

Up to this point, the flow of a series of operations has been describedincluding selecting a sheet type (sheet type B) not set for the sheetfeeding deck (sheet cassette 1), setting the sheet type and executingconfirmation printing after adjustments. Thus, the operator may not opena sheet setting window for setting a sheet type but may change theadjustment values and execute confirmation printing after the adjustmenton the adjustment window. This improves or refines operator'sconvenience for performing the sheet setting operations on sheets in adigital multi-function peripheral.

Embodiment 2

According to Embodiment 1, the sheet setting operations and adjustmentoperations are performed by starting with pressing the sheet feedingdeck button 703. Another embodiment may be considered in which theadjustment operations are performed through a sheet list window 1120 inFIG. 11A. For example, on the sheet list window 1120 in FIG. 11A, anoperator double-clicks the sheet type B. Then, a glossiness/blackquality adjustment window 1160 is displayed through a sheet settingwindow 1130 to perform the adjustment operations. In this embodiment,for example, in a case where the operator selects a sheet type that isnot set for any of the sheet feeding decks and performs operations onthe adjustment window 1160, the confirmation printing for the adjustmentcannot be performed. Accordingly, the operator sets the sheet type onthe sheet setting window 730. The glossiness/black quality adjustmentwindow 1160 is displayed through the sheet setting window 1130, and theoperator performs the adjustment operation. This may require time andlabor for operations up to the confirmation printing after theadjustment.

According to Embodiment 2, in such a case, a unit is provided thatselects a sheet feeding deck for which a sheet type is set on theconfirmation window.

According to this embodiment, an example in which an operator selects asheet type (sheet type B) that is not set for a sheet feeding deck(sheet cassette 1) and performs an adjustment operation withoutperforming a sheet setting operation on the sheet list window 1120 willbe described with reference to flowcharts in FIGS. 10A and 10B and FIGS.12A and 12B.

In step S1001, an operator double-clicks a sheet type B in the sheetlist display area 1121 in the sheet list window 1120 of the sheetmanagement system 100.

In step S1002, the controller 300 in the print control apparatus 102controls the UI control module 352 to obtain the sheet settingsmanagement table 810 from the sheet management module 353. Thecontroller 300 controls the UI control module 352 to obtain informationon the currently set sheet type B (sheet type ID=2) from the sheetsettings management table 810 and generate a sheet setting window 1130for the sheet type B.

In step S1003, the controller 300 controls the UI control module 352 todisplay the sheet setting window 1130 on the display device 111.

In step S1004, the operator double-clicks the glossiness/black qualityadjustment on the adjustment item list 1132.

In step S1005, when the controller 300 detects a click on an adjustmentitem in the adjustment item list 1132, the controller 300 determineswhether there is a match between the sheet types of sheets set in thesheet feeding deck and the sheet type selected in step S1001. Forexample, the controller 300 refers to the sheet types of sheets in thesheet cassettes 1 to 5 on the sheet feeding deck setting managementtable 820 and compares them with the currently selected sheet type B(sheet type ID=2). Because there is not a match between the sheet typeIDs, a mismatch is detected. The processing then moves to step S1006.Having described the sheet feeding decks above, an inserter connectedsubsequently to the fixing unit is excluded from the sheet feeding decksto be determined because it cannot perform confirmation printing foradjustment.

In step S1006, the controller 300 controls the UI control module 352 togenerate a confirmation window 1150 in FIG. 11C to be displayed on thedisplay device 111.

The confirmation window 1150 in FIG. 11C will be described. Theconfirmation window 1150 is a window that, in a case where the sheettype selected in step S1001 is not set any of the sheet feeding decks,prompts to confirm that the currently selected sheet type may be set forone of the sheet feeding decks. Image data of the confirmation window1150 are rendered in the RAM 302 in accordance with a correspondinginstruction from the CPU 301, and the image data rendered in the RAM 302are output to the display device 111 as a video signal so that theconfirmation window 1150 is displayed. The confirmation window 1150displays a message display area 1151, a selection pull-down menu 1152for the sheet feeder, a “yes” button 1153, and a “no” button 1154. Thecontroller 300 generates sheet feeding deck options to be displayed inthe selection pull-down menu 1152 with reference to the settable sheetfeeding deck IDs in the sheet management table 810. An inserterconnected subsequently to the fixing unit is excluded from the sheetfeeding deck options to be displayed on the selection pull-down menu1152 because it cannot perform confirmation printing for adjustment.

In step S1007, the controller 300 controls the UI control module 352 todisplay the confirmation window 1150 in FIG. 11C on the display device111.

In step S1008, the operator opens the sheet cassette 1 in the imageforming apparatus 103 and places a sheet bundle of the sheet type B. Theoperator closes the sheet cassette 1.

In step S1009, the operator selects the sheet feeding deck for which thesheet type selected in step S1001 is to be set. The sheet cassette 1 isselected here.

In step S1010, the operator sets the currently selected sheet type forthe sheet cassette 1 and clicks the “yes” button 1153 to continue theadjustment operation.

Because the controller 300 performs processing in step S1011 to stepS1022 in the same manner as that in step S613 to S624 in FIG. 6B, anyrepetitive descriptions will be omitted.

The flow of the processing from step S1001 to S1014 will be describedwith reference to a flowchart in FIG. 12A.

In step S1201, the controller 300 detects that a sheet feeding deckbutton 1103 is clicked in the sheet list window 1120. The controller 300controls the UI control module 352 to display the sheet setting window1130 for the sheet type B.

In step S1202, the controller 300 detects that the glossiness/blackquality adjustment has been double-clicked. If an adjustment item in theadjustment item list 1132 is clicked, the controller 300 advances theprocessing to step S1203. Until an adjustment item in the adjustmentitem list 1132 is clicked, the controller 300 controls to keepdisplaying the sheet setting window 1130 for waiting for an operation onthe window.

In step S1203, the controller 300 displays the confirmation window andperforms processing by a confirmation unit configured to control whetherthe currently selected sheet type is to be set for the sheet feedingdeck or not.

The confirmation unit in step S1203 will be described in detail withreference to FIG. 12B.

In step S1211, the controller 300 determines whether there is a matchbetween the sheet type set for one of the sheet feeding decks and thesheet type selected in step S1001 in FIG. 10A. If there is not a matchbetween the sheet type set for one of the sheet feeding decks and theselected sheet type, the controller 300 advances the processing to stepS1212. If there is a match between the sheet type set for one of thesheet feeding decks and the selected sheet type, the controller 300 endsthe processing of the confirmation unit. For example, the controller 300refers to the sheet types for the sheet feeding decks in the sheetfeeding deck setting management table 820 and compares them with thecurrently selected sheet type B (sheet type ID=2). Here, there is not amatch in sheet type ID, a mismatch is detected. The processing moves tostep S1212.

In step S1212, the controller 300 controls the UI control module 352 todisplay the confirmation window 1150 in FIG. 11C on the display device111.

In step 1213, the controller 300 determines whether one of the sheetfeeding decks is selected in the selection pull-down menu 1152 for thesheet feeder. If one of the sheet feeding decks is selected, thecontroller 300 controls the UI control module 352 to cancel the gray-outof the “yes” button 1153. The processing moves to step S1214. If nosheet feeding deck is selected, the controller 300 controls the UIcontrol module 352 to gray-out the “yes” button 1153 and waits forselection of one of the sheet feeding decks. If the selected sheet typecannot be set for any of the sheet feeding decks and the controller 300detects that the “no” button 1154 has been clicked, the processing ofthe confirmation unit ends.

Because the controller 300 performs the processing in step S1214 in thesame manner as that of the processing in step 913 in FIG. 9B, anyrepetitive descriptions will be omitted.

In step S1215, the controller 300 controls the sheet management module353 to obtain information in the sheet settings management table 810regarding the sheet type B selected in step S1001. The controller 300controls to generate a sheet setting instruction to register theobtained information with the sheet feeding deck (sheet cassette 1)selected in step S1213. The controller 300 controls the network controlmodule 355 to transmit the sheet setting instruction to the imageforming apparatus 103 via the control cable 108 by controlling the LANcontroller 306. For example, the controller 300 writes the sheet typeID=2 corresponding to the sheet type B to the sheet type ID areacorresponding to the sheet cassette 1 (sheet feeding deck ID=1) on thesheet feeding deck setting management table 820.

Up to this point, the confirmation unit in step 1203 has been describedwith reference to FIG. 12B. Referring back to FIG. 12A, the subsequentprocessing will further be described.

In step S1204, the controller 300 controls the UI control module 352 togenerate the glossiness/black quality adjustment window 1160 in FIG. 11Cto be displayed on the display device 111.

Up to this point, the flow of a series operations has been describedincluding selecting a sheet (sheet type B) not set for any of the sheetfeeding decks from the sheet list window 1120 in FIG. 11A, performingadjustment operations without the sheet setting operation, and executingconfirmation printing after the adjustment. Thus, the operator may notopen a sheet setting window for setting a sheet type but may change theadjustment values and execute confirmation printing after the adjustmenton the adjustment window. This improves or refines operator'sconvenience for performing the sheet setting operations on sheets in adigital multi-function peripheral.

Embodiment 3

In Embodiment 1, though an operator presses the “yes” button 742 on theconfirmation window 740 and the adjustment window is displayed, theoperator may notice that a wrong sheet type has been selected and wantto return the setting to the sheet type originally set for one of thesheet feeding decks.

According to Embodiment 3, when the cancel button 756 is pressed on theadjustment window 750 based on Embodiment 1 in such a case, the sheetsetting upon open of the confirmation window 740 is applied again.

According to this embodiment, an example in which an operator selects asheet type (sheet type B) that is not set for a sheet feeding deck(sheet cassette 1), performs a sheet setting operation and cancellingthe setting on an adjustment window will be described with reference toflowcharts in FIGS. 13A and 13B and FIGS. 15A and 15B.

Because the processing from step S1301 to S1311 is performed in the samemanner as the processing in step S601 to S611 in FIG. 6A, any repetitivedescriptions will be omitted.

In step S1312, an operator sets the currently selected sheet type forthe sheet cassette 1 and clicks a “yes” button 1442 in FIG. 14C tocontinue adjustment operations.

In step S1313, the controller 300 controls the sheet management module353 to temporarily store information on the sheet type A (sheet typeID=1) set for the current sheet feeding deck (sheet cassette 1) to theRAM 302.

Because the processing in step S314 to S1319 is performed in the samemanner as the processing in step S613 to S618 in FIG. 6B, any repetitivedescriptions will be omitted.

In step S1320, the operator clicks a cancel button 1456 on theadjustment window 1450.

In step S1321, the controller 300 reads the information on the sheettype A (sheet type ID=1) temporarily stored in the RAM 302.

In step S1322, the controller 300 controls the sheet management module353 to generate a sheet setting instruction for registering theinformation on the sheet settings management table 810 regarding thesheet type A read from the RAM 302 with the sheet feeding deck (sheetcassette 1). The controller 300 controls the network control module 355to transmit the sheet setting instruction to the image forming apparatus103 via the control cable 108 by controlling the LAN controller 306.

In step S1323, when the controller 200 in the image forming apparatus103 receives the sheet setting instruction through the LAN controller206, the controller 200 sets the received sheet information on the sheettype A for the designated sheet feeding deck (sheet cassette 1, here).The controller 300 increments a counter for the usage history of the setsheet type and controls the sheet management module 353 to write theusage history count in the usage history on the sheet settingsmanagement table 810 corresponding to the target sheet type ID.

In step S1324, the controller 300 controls the UI control module 352 toobtain the sheet feeding deck setting management table 820 from thesheet feeding deck management module 354. The controller 300 controlsthe UI control module 352 to generate a sheet setting window 1430 forthe sheet cassette 1 based on the obtained sheet feeding deck list.

In step S1325, the controller 300 controls the UI control module 352 todisplay the sheet setting window 1430 on the display device 111.

Next, a flow of processing from step S1301 to S1323 will be describedwith reference to a flowchart in FIG. 15A.

Because the controller 300 performs processing in step S1501 to S1504 inthe same manner as that of step S901 to S904 in FIG. 9A, any repetitivedescriptions will be omitted.

However, because a confirmation unit in step S1503 is different fromthat in FIG. 9B, it will be described with reference to FIG. 15B.

Because the processing in step S1511 to step S1513 is performed in thesame manner as that in FIG. 9B, any repetitive descriptions will beomitted.

In step S1514, the controller 300 controls the sheet management module353 to temporarily save information on the sheet type A (sheet typeID=1) set for the current sheet feeding deck (sheet cassette 1) in theRAM 302.

In step S1515, the controller 300 controls the sheet management module353 to generate a sheet setting instruction for registering informationin the sheet settings management table 810 regarding the currentlyselected sheet type B with the sheet feeding deck (sheet cassette 1).The controller 300 controls the network control module 355 to transmitthe sheet setting instruction to the image forming apparatus 103 via thecontrol cable 108 by controlling the LAN controller 306. For example,the controller 300 writes the sheet type ID=2 corresponding to the sheettype B to the sheet type ID area corresponding to the sheet cassette 1(sheet feeding deck ID=1) on the sheet feeding deck setting managementtable 820.

Up to this point, the confirmation unit in step 1503 has been describedwith reference to FIG. 15B. The processing will further be describedwith reference back to FIG. 15A.

In step S1505, the controller 300 determines whether the cancel button1456 on the adjustment window 1450 has been clicked. If the cancelbutton 1456 has been clicked, the controller 300 advances the processingto step S1506. If the cancel button 1456 has not been clicked, thecontroller 300 waits for reception of a click event on one of buttonsbelonging to the adjustment window 1450.

In step S1506, the controller 300 controls the sheet management module353 to obtain the information in the sheet settings management table 810regarding the sheet type A that is read from the RAM 302.

In step S1507, the controller 300 controls the sheet management module353 to generate a sheet setting instruction to register the informationin the sheet settings management table 810 regarding the sheet type Athat is read from the RAM 302 with the sheet feeding deck (sheetcassette 1). For example, the controller 300 writes the sheet type ID=1corresponding to the sheet type A to the sheet type ID areacorresponding to the sheet cassette 1 (sheet feeding deck ID=1) on thesheet feeding deck setting management table 820. When the controller 200in the image forming apparatus 103 receives the sheet settinginstruction through the LAN controller 206, the controller 200 sets thereceived sheet information on the sheet type A for the designated sheetfeeding deck (sheet cassette 1, here). The controller 300 increments acounter for the usage history of the set sheet type and controls thesheet management module 353 to write the usage history count in theusage history on the sheet settings management table 810 correspondingto the target sheet type ID. The controller 300 controls the UI controlmodule 352 to close the adjustment window 1450 and a window transitionto the sheet setting window 1430 displayed in step S1501 is performed.

Up to this point, the flow of a series of operations has been describedincluding returning to the sheet setting when the confirmation window1440 is opened if the cancel button 1456 is pressed on the adjustmentwindow 1450 in FIG. 14C. Thus, even when an operator notices selectionof a wrong sheet type after performing operations up to the adjustmentwindow 1450 according to Embodiment 1, the operator can easily return asheet setting change for the sheet feeding deck to the original state.This improves or refines operator's convenience for performing the sheetsetting operations on sheets in a digital multi-function peripheral.

The embodiments have been described as follows. The sheet managementsystem including the controller 300 and the image forming apparatus 103has been disclosed. The controller 300 selects a sheet feeding deck(703).

The controller 300 adjusts sheet information including setting valuesfor print processing to be performed on a sheet to be used for theprinting. Examples of the sheet include a paper sheet, an overheadprojector (OHP) film, and plastic wrapping paper.

If there is not a match between sheet information set for the sheetfeeding deck selected by the controller 300 and sheet information to beadjusted, the controller 300 confirms whether the sheet information tobe adjusted is to be set for the currently selected sheet feeding deck.The sheet information 7000 is an example of the sheet information.

In accordance with the result of the confirmation by the controller 300,the controller 300 sets the adjusted sheet information for the imageforming apparatus 103.

If the adjustment operation is aborted, the controller 300 may set thesheet information upon display of the adjustment window (730) as thesheet information set for the selected sheet feeding deck.

The controller 300 may set to inhibit to change the sheet information onthe sheet to be adjusted during operations from the display of theconfirmation window 740 to the change of the sheets in the sheet feedingdeck selected by a selection unit.

The controller 300 performs display control to display a plurality ofdisplay items corresponding to a plurality of sheet feeding decks.Examples of the display items are the sheet feeding deck buttons 703 to707.

In accordance with selection of a display item (703) corresponding toone sheet feeding deck from the plurality of display items, the sheetfeeding deck is selected by the controller 300.

The controller 300 selects sheet information to be set for the selectedsheet feeding deck from a plurality of sheet information pieces (730).The sheet setting window 730 is an example of a window for the sheetinformation selection.

The controller 300 confirms whether there is a match between theselected sheet information and the sheet information preset for thesheet feeding deck. In accordance with the confirmation result, apredetermined confirmation window (740, 1150) is displayed.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the operability fordefining a setting relating to sheet information can be improved orrefined. According to another aspect of the present disclosure,operations from setting of a desired or predetermined sheet type toconfirmation printing after adjustment can be easily performed.

A printing factory that performs small volume printing in greatvarieties uses many sheet types to be selected in accordance with theordered product. Accordingly, the operation for setting sheet types andthe operation for adjusting information thereon may be frequentlyperformed. For some sheet types, the adjustment operations if any may berepeated to satisfy desired or predetermined print quality. However, therelated art assumes that the sheet type to be adjusted if any hasalready been set for the sheet feeding deck and does not consider aseries of adjustment operations including a sheet setting operation whena target sheet type is not set for the sheet feeding deck. For manyorders for small volume printing in great varieties, for example, thereare increased transitions between operating windows for the sheetsetting operations and the adjustment operations, resulting lowoperability by the operator. In the past for the adjustment operation, awindow for sheet setting is operated first, and then a transition to anadjustment window is performed and operations are performed thereon.Therefore, operations up to confirmation printing after the adjustmenttake time. An aspect of the embodiments achieves improved or refinedoperability for defining a setting relating to a sheet. Another aspectof the embodiments provides a system that can easily confirm settingstates relating to sheet information for a sheet feeding deck afteradjusting a desired or predetermined piece of the sheet information.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment(s) of the present disclosure can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may include one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2018-125528, filed Jun. 29, 2018, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: at least one processor andat least one memory coupled to each other and cooperating to performoperations including: selecting a sheet holding unit of an image formingapparatus, adjusting, as first adjusted sheet information, sheetinformation of a first sheet to be used for printing, wherein the firstsheet information includes setting values for performing printprocessing on the first sheet, setting adjusted sheet information andidentification information to the selected sheet holding unit, andconfirming whether or not to set the first adjusted sheet information tothe selected sheet holding unit in a case where first identificationinformation of the first sheet set to be for the selected sheet holdingunit does not agree with second identification information of a secondsheet for which second sheet information is preset for the sheet holdingunit, wherein setting includes setting or not setting the first adjustedsheet information to the selected sheet holding unit in accordance witha result of confirming whether or not to set the first adjusted sheetinformation to the selected sheet holding unit.
 2. The system accordingto claim 1, wherein, in a case where adjusting includes aborting anadjustment operation, sheet information at a point in time of display ofan adjustment window is set to the selected sheet holding unit as thesheet information set to the selected sheet holding unit.
 3. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein performed operations further includeinhibiting sheet information of the sheet to be adjusted from beingchanged, from display of a confirmation window until replacement of thesheet of the selected sheet holding unit.
 4. The system according toclaim 1, wherein selecting includes selecting, from among a plurality ofsheets, a sheet to which sheet information is to be adjusted, whereinconfirming includes confirming whether to set the adjusted sheetinformation to the selected sheet holding unit or not in a case wherethe identification information of the sheet set to the selected sheetholding unit does not agree with identification information of theselected sheet.
 5. A method for a system, the method comprising:selecting a sheet holding unit of an image forming apparatus; adjusting,as first adjusted sheet information, sheet information of a first sheetto be used for printing, wherein the first sheet information includessetting values for performing print processing on the first sheet;setting adjusted sheet information and identification information to theselected sheet holding unit; and confirming whether or not to set thefirst adjusted sheet information to the selected sheet holding unit in acase where first identification information of the first sheet set to befor the selected sheet holding unit does not agree with secondidentification information of a second sheet for which second sheetinformation is preset for the sheet holding unit, wherein settingincludes setting or not setting the first adjusted sheet information tothe selected sheet holding unit in accordance with a result ofconfirming whether or not to set the first adjusted sheet information tothe selected sheet holding unit.
 6. The method according to claim 5,wherein, in a case where adjustment includes aborting an adjustmentoperation, sheet information at a point in time of display of anadjustment window is set to the selected sheet holding unit as the sheetinformation set to the selected sheet holding unit.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 5, further comprising inhibiting sheet information ofthe sheet to be adjusted from being changed, from display of aconfirmation window until replacement of the sheet of the selected sheetholding unit.
 8. The method according to claim 5, wherein selectingincludes selecting, from among a plurality of sheets, a sheet to whichsheet information is to be adjusted, wherein confirming includesconfirming whether to set the adjusted sheet information to the selectedsheet holding unit or not in a case where the identification informationof the sheet set to the selected sheet holding unit does not agree withidentification information of the selected sheet.